In 2012, Otley Museum had to close its doors and place its treasured artefacts in storage. For over a decade, these historical items remained packed away, waiting to be revisited. Thanks to donations and grants, in 2024, the Otley Museum and Archive Trust (OMAT) embarked on an ambitious project to bring these pieces of history back into the light.

With the help of a dedicated team of volunteers, nearly 2,000 boxes were carefully unpacked and the artefacts within were photographed, creating a lasting digital archive. Each item was then repacked with conservation in mind, ensuring the preservation of these valuable pieces for future generations.

Next up for 2025: textiles. Volunteers will tackle unpacking, photographing, and preserving each textile piece, making sure they’re in one piece and safely stored.

Stay tuned as we share more highlights from the collection and stories of Otley’s vibrant past that we’re bringing back to life, one artefact at a time!